hold down
phrasal verbhold somebody down
- to prevent somebody from moving, using force
- It took three men to hold him down.
- to prevent somebody from having their freedom or rights
- The people are held down by a repressive regime.
hold something down
- to keep something at a low level
- The rate of inflation must be held down.
- [no passive] to keep a job for some time
- He was unable to hold down a job after his breakdown.
- [no passive] (North American English, informal) to limit something, especially a noise
- Hold it down, will you? I'm trying to sleep!